daddy's got a new tattoo

at frontline tattoo studio in vista.
a hand tattoo is serious business.  when we walked in, the receptionist only saw trav's blank arm and said they wouldn't do a hand tattoo for him.  then he saw that trav has a full sleeve, so i guess that changes things.  
lyla says: don't do it daddy!
well, i guess it's pretty cool.
daddy loves lyla forever!

Another set-back! Ouch!

We will be filing for yet another extension on our close date. This is through no fault of our own. The county program we are using requires a ton of paperwork and processing time. Also, the seller lagged on getting the necessary repairs done on the house. So...bottom line is that we won't be getting our house this week. We will be filing for a two week extension with the hopes that it will really only take one additional week. You just can't be too careful when you are waiting on the government.

In happier news, the Mitchell fam went shopping on furniture row last night and bought a couch! We are so excited about our brand new, chocolate brown, COMFY, sectional couch. Trav and I realized that neither of us has ever purchased a sofa before. The one we have now was given to me by my brother and sister-in-law when I moved to Encinitas back in 2003. It's about dang time that we updated our living room furniture. So exciting! They will hold the couch for us (it's called an escrow hold-how funny!) until we are ready to have it delivered.

8 days until we get our house

We have jumped through all the hoops, signed all the documents, and faxed every piece of information possible.  Now all we do is wait to find out when we sign the final paperwork and get our keys!!!

It has been a tough past couple of months.  We have been on an emotional roller coaster that has taken us through excitement, fear, frustration, disappointment, confusion, anticipation, and hope.  We have been at the mercy of our realtor and lender at every whim.  As my mom says, they tell us to look left and we have to look left.  They tell us to look right and we have to look right.  We have felt like puppets being ordered to rush here or there, sign this or that.  It. has. been. exhausting.

Even though I complain, we feel so blessed to become home owners.  I feel very grateful that everything has worked out the way it has.  We are so fortunate to have this opportunity.  I just can't wait to have those keys in my hands and then the real fun begins: REPAIRS!  We are going to get a third loan that will cover up to $29K to update the house.  We hope to get new flooring, shutters for all windows, new doors, and new cabinets.  We are going to do the paint ourselves.  Think we can stay under budget?  

First Time Home Buyer Class...check!

Travis and I made the trek up to Santa Ana today for the requisite Home-Buyers Education Class.  It was a long day filled with speakers on budgeting money, the lending process, choosing a realtor, and affordable housing programs.  Though very informative, this class did us no good considering we are about to close escrow on our home.  This would have been a great class to take two months ago when we just started looking.  I highly recommend this class for first time home buyers who are just starting their journey into house-hunting.  They offer this class for free at many HUD-funded credit counseling centers.  At least we have the class under our belts and now we are even closer to closing!

Meanwhile, Lyla got to spend some quality time in Mission Viejo with her aunt Kandice and cousins Madi and Jake.  They took her to the park and the pool.  She swam in floaties for the first time ever.  I am so jealous that she had a day of fun while we were stuck in a stuffy room on such a gorgeous day.  Not to mention that Lyla has many joyous days in the sun and is working on a serious healthy tan while I am as white as a ghost.  But it does make me happy that she has so many people that love her and care for her while I am not there to do it.  This little girl has got it made!

These girls are going to be big sisters

Ruby and Lyla are both going to be big sisters by the end of this year.  Ruby's little bro or sis is due on november 6 and Lyla's little bro or sis is coming on OR BEFORE december 18.  Yep, it's official.  The baby was measured today at the dr's office.  I am going to be HUGE by Thanksgiving!  

17 days until we get our house

So the close of escrow date is now the 28th of May.  Today, we signed up for Home Owner's Insurance through AAA.  This is really starting to feel like reality!  We have to go to a First Time Homebuyers class in Riverside on Saturday, the 22nd.  It's an ALL DAY class that will help us understand what we are doing.  It's a requirement for one of the loans we are getting.  Fun.

Isn't she lovely?

? days until we get our house

Our realtor informed us today that we are going to have to ask the sellers for an extension due to aforementioned setback/potential deal-breaker.  So, now we won't know until Monday or Tuesday next week what our new close date is.  But the deal is not off, so that's a good thing.

Have I mentioned that buying a house takes a lot of patience?  Sheesh!

Countdown to home ownership...

In 8 days we may be signing documents and getting keys to our new house!  There is a potential deal breaker, however.  The previous residents may not have received the legal 90 days notice of eviction.  This could mean that we don't get the house.  We know that if it is meant to be, it will be.  If not, there are other houses out there.  We are hearing that everything is a go for now, though.  We are not packing anything yet.  There is a lot of work that needs to be done on the house before we can even think about moving in.  Painting party, anyone?

Ruby Love

Precious!
These two girls are ADORABLE together.  Ruby is a little sweetheart.  How cute is her little collared shirt and cardi?  She's always keeping an eye on Lyla and calling her "Lyla girl".  I was so happy to capture Ruby and Lyla giving eachother some love.